Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dogs licensed in 2008; the income from these licences; the cost of the scheme; the number of dogs here; his views on the need to have a more efficient dog licence collection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In 2008 a total of 215,190 licences were issued providing an income of €2.8m to local authorities in that year. This compares to a cost of administering the service of €5.7m. The dog control services operated by local authorities include, dog wardens, dog pounds/shelters, inspections, dealing with stray dogs including collection, return, rehoming or disposal together with enforcement and related activities. As can be seen from the figures, there was a shortfall of some €2.9m nationally in operating the dog control services. My Department will shortly be introducing the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, 2009, and intends to raise the cost of dog licence fees to €20 for an individual dog licence. This will be the first time the licence fee has increased since 1998. The revenue raised will help offset the cost to local authorities of dog control services and further incentivise the collection of fees.